2013 Exclusiva Fashion Show

The Exclusiva Fashion Show was held at the Ritz Carlton in Georgetown (3100 South Street NW, Washington DC 2007) on Friday, April 26th from 6:30-8pm. The show featured the latest collections from three designers: Pure Elegance, Natalie Kraynina and Tara Milani and featured NYC fashion week models as well as local Miss USA 2013 beauty queens Shannon McAnnally, Kasey Staniszewski and Jessica Frith.

All proceeds from the show, auction and sponsorship, went toward Operation Smiles; a charity organization that works internationally to provide surgeries for children born with cleft lip, palette or other facial deformities. Since many don’t have the funds to fix these complications, many children are left unable to eat or speak. For 30 years, Operation Smiles has worked to give these children a better quality of life.

Mz Mahogany press for the event: Brittany and Jessica

Pre-show, guests were invited to lounge at the cocktail hour or dine on the delicious foods and desserts at the hotel restaurant. The show began around 7:45 pm and was announced by TV/Radio host Sarah Fraser.

The first designs to hit the runway were from Pure Elegance, which is one of the fastest growing South Asian brands within the United States. The designer, Parna Ghose, specializes in combining ethic styles with haute couture style to create a unique look that has landed her designs at New York Fashion Week, Dubai Fashion Week and Vancover Fashion Week. Her collections feature a variety of different items including Sarees, bridal wear, suits, tunics and jewelry. During the show, she presented her latest collection of sarees in jewel toned colors (such as ruby-red, emerald, amethyst and sapphire), some with silk screening, embroidery, delicate beading and crystals. Her show also included a few cocktail dresses in ombre and ethnic inspired prints which are perfect just in time for summer. The finale included two showstopping to the floor sarees for evening in ruby-red and gold with clusters of delicate silver beads which the designer said took about a month to handcraft each individual one.

Pure Elegance

Pure Elegance

Pure Elegance Saree

Pure Elegance Saree

If you want a small piece of affordable luxury from Pure Elegance try one of the beaded bangles, which run from $60-100

Pure Elegance Bangle $60

Pure Elegance Bangle $110.00

After a short break, the show turned to designer Nathalie Kraynina. Natalie’s NYC based brand strives to provide unique yet feminine clothing that can make any woman feel confident. She designs a variety of collections in women’s ready to wear, evening wear and bridal gown categories. Her latest pieces were dark, textured and edgy designs perfect for a night out. Silouettes were flowy and loose or highly structured and tailored to fit the body perfectly. Garments shown included a jersey jumpsuit, shorts and leather jacket combo, a fitted cocktail mini dress, a geometric pleated dress and a showstopping to the floor gown made of layers of black tulle. Pulled back updos and dark makeup on the models helped add to the edgy look.

Spring/Summer 2013

Spring/Summer 2013

The finale for the show featured designs from Tara Milani. Milani does sophisticated collections of women’s ready to wear apparel with a focus on custom fit and fine fabrics. Her designs originated in Norway and she has recently made her way to Washington DC. Her designs were worn at Royal Family receptions and she has a broad clientele in Europe before making her entry in the United States. Milani’s latest garments included fitted cocktail dresses, beaded maxi dresses and low back floor length evening gowns in silk fabrics. The final two dresses were stunning evening gowns – a kelly green low back formal gown and another in tan silk with an intricate beaded pattern.

Tara Milani Online Shop

Tara Milani Online Shop

The hair styles for the runway show were done by Jean-Claude and the jewelry designs by Le Chic. Sponsors for the event included Bacardi, Co/Co salon, Potomac dentistry, Prestige Imports and the Miss Universe Organization.